BP Chats

McMahon looked much better this year in Hartford, using the whole field again, driving the other way with authority, still a pretty good third baseman. I didn't see him at second, but I was told the athleticism will play there enough that he's viable. Still struggles with spin, still struggles with lefties. He needs those to click, and I'm not entirely confident it will enough to make him a good regular. Useful major leaguer for sure though. (Jeffrey Paternostro)

When do you think we will see Ryan McMahon in Colorado? He seems to have really turned a corner this year.
(RDBL2014 from Concord, CA)

Bunch of Ryan McMahon questions in the queue here, so let's talk McMahon: he's regained a lot of his stock, but the actual Hartford park has turned out to be a comical bandbox and now he's in Albuquerque, one of the best offensive environments in baseball, so let's tap the brakes a *littie* here. The downsides: it's settling in as a first base profile, there's concern he might be a platoon player, and there's concern he might not hit better spin (which is probably not something he's going to learn how to do in Albuquerque, a peril of the PCL). (Jarrett Seidler)

Two part question and thanks for doing the live chat!
First, what's a way to evaluate minor league numbers? I see a guy like Willy Adames put up a mediocre BA but some put him developmentally ahead of Gleyber Torres at his age. How can we read beyond scouting reports and box scores to see the real talent?
Second, do guys like Ryan McMahon or Alex Verdugo have a shot of getting a permanent callup this season?(tbdubbs from New York)

Adames hasn't been ahead of Gleyber Torres for some time. Torres has way more hitting potential, but it's not something that's necessarily obvious from a triple-slash; it's more to due with raw power and bat speed. The best way to tell is, of course, making it out to games and watching a lot of baseball. Secondarily, talk to as many people as you can who know the players and know the game.

McMahon and Verdugo could both be up at any time. Both those teams are contending and don't have an immediate organizational need, so it depends on injuries and the like. (Jarrett Seidler)

Ryan McMahon was just listed by Christopher Crawford as one of the 10 biggest prospect fallers from 2016. What's your take? Do you think he's going to be the Rockies long term answer at 1B - something they've been longing for since the days of Todd Helton or is he more likely nothing more than a Mark Reynolds lite? (Truganini from CO)

It certainly wasn't a great season, but he played a full season in Double-A at 21. Too early to give up on him, and I think there's a good chance he's the starting first baseman in Colorado at some point in 2018. (Bret Sayre)

People seem to be down on Ryan McMahon after his struggles this year. From your looks do you believe there is still something there, or will his swing and miss be fatal to his prospect-dom?(John from CO)

So I feel like last offseason I was lower than the crowd on McMahon but now I might be a little higher. Reports on him have been really bad, honestly. It could just be a bad year. (Jarrett Seidler)

Care to provide any thoughts on the seasons of Derek Fisher & Ryan McMahon so far in AA? Is it crazy to say/hope of a role 6 ceiling for each?(Jerry from Earth)

I saw Derek Fisher in the AFL and I would say you are crazy to think of a Role 6 kind of ceiling. There is a lot of swing and miss, nor is he a gifted defender. I haven't seen McMahon but we did place him 36th in our preseason top 101, and give him a Role 55 in our Rockies Top 10 prospects. (Steve Givarz)

Care to provide any thoughts on the seasons of Derek Fisher & Ryan McMahon so far in AA? Is it crazy to say/hope of a role 6 ceiling for each?(Jerry from Earth)

I think McMahon coudl be a 6. Fisher just doesn't provide enough with the glove for me to go there, but he's having a nice year and I love his offensive upside. McMahon has struggled somewhat, but, he's drawing walks, and the hits SHOULD start falling soon. (Christopher Crawford)

Care to provide any thoughts on the seasons of Derek Fisher & Ryan McMahon so far in AA? Is it crazy to hope McMahon stays at 3B & Fisher can provide some of the hope you gave us when he was drafted?(Jerry from Earth)

This is exactly who Fisher is. Power and speed, but with real contact issues. If he can overcome them, he's a fantasy stud. McMahon is on the struggle bus, but still like his talent long-term. (Bret Sayre)

Care to offer a brief opinion on Ryan McMahon to tide us over until the scouting report appears? Can he make enough contact? How much power do you think he'll develop?(Todd from MN)

I've been a big McMahon supporter since he was drafted. It's plus power, and I think he can make enough contact (though still swing and miss plenty) to let it function. (Top 101 Chat with Craig Goldstein)

Big big fan of Trevor Story. I think a lot of people got off the bandwagon when he didn't light the Cal League on fire in 2013. He has some holes that will lead to some strike outs, but I'm not too worried about it. He's going to do plenty of damage in between whiffs. When I saw him in the AFL this October, he was playing second base and he could be really good there defensively. I believe he can still handle shortstop, though the arm isn't a true asset there, or at least it didn't look to be in the fall. I believe Tucker Blair is going to get another look at him in the next week or two and we're going to try to decide whether or not he can stick at SS for sure or if he'd be below average there. Either way, the bat is above average at an up the middle position, and that's a rare profile in this game.

McMahon has his strong supporters and there's a lot to like there too. The big thing is that he has enough power to be an everyday third baseman, something that is becoming more and more rare in today's game. He has some contact issues as well and doesn't offer the up the middle profile of Story, but if he can ensure that enough of his power plays, he'll be just fine. (Jeff Moore)

Did you see Ryan McMahon? Can we expect him to shoot up prospect lists this season? (Mike from Boulder, CO)

Yes and yes-ish. He's still got some work. Swing can get steep and can get awkward at 3rd base. His stock should rise this year but not how Gallo's did. Wouldn't surprise me if he was a top 75 prospect at season's end. (Ryan Parker)

Hey Mark, what are your thoughts on Ryan McMahon and Nomar Mazara heading into 2015 & beyond? Think both can become role 6 type players?(kiper90 from Rochester, NY)

Everything would have to break perfectly for McMahon to reach a role 6 profile, and I have trouble getting there when I see him or consider the package of skills and ability. I like McMahaon, but I think he ends up more of a solid regular than a standout player. I'm biting a little harder on Mazara, and I would be willing to say he has a reasonable chance to develop into a role 6 type.

Both players need to continue making strides in 2015, and I think Mazara is a little further ahead in terms of his feel for the game, giving him a slight leg up in the race for the big leagues. (Mark Anderson)

Hey Craig, what are your thoughts on Ryan McMahon and Nomar Mazara heading into 2015 & beyond? Think both can become role 6 type players?(kiper90 from Rochester, NY)

I think they can both do that yes, but I'll stop short of saying they will. I like Mazara more than McMahon, though I think both could raise their prospect stock throughout 2015. Mazara merely has to survive to prove his worth in Double-A at his age, really. Without saying it's likely for either player, I like Mazara's odds a little better, though both rank among my personal favorites in the game. (Craig Goldstein)

What's the 75th percentile outcome for Ryan McMahon? Are his struggles against lefties a cause for concern?(Sandy from Elsewhere)

They are for me. That was one of the larger flags holding back his ranking when I put together the Rockies list. Overall he had trouble identifying spin, but it markedly impacted his game coming out of same-side arms. Still a high impact bat, but that will be a developmental focus. (NL West Top 10s With Nick Faleris)

Thanks for the chat. Any under the radar Sally prospects who had breakout seasons to keep any eye on next year?(Jeff from Charlotte)

Manuel Margot obviously stands out here, though he's probably not under the radar any more. I only saw about 11 innings total due to him getting injured during my look at Greenville, but it was enough for me to buy into the total package. Ryan McMahon is a definite dude. He'll have to clean up some of the swing and miss in his game, but the raw power is legit, as is his defense at third base. I liked him a lot and put an above-average regular grade on him. Chance Sisco certainly jumped on some radars, but Delmarva was a blind spot for me this season. I already mentioned Eduardo De Oleo as my "under the radar" guy in the Sally League, though his season was anything but a breakout statistically. I'm trying to run through my notes and find guys, so if I'm missing someone, ask me about them specifically. (Ethan Purser)

Hey Craig, what's your thoughts on Ryan McMahon & Nomar Mazara this season and going forward? You think they will land somewhere in your Top-100 maybe 50 for 2015?(kiper90 from Rochester, NY)

They're two of "my guys." I think Mazara getting pushed to Double-A really helps him, as it pushes his timetable up if he can even hold his own while there. I do think both are back of the top 100 talents for fantasy, though I'd hesitate to say either are top 50 guys just yet. (Craig Goldstein)

What are your thoughts on Ryan McMahon? He opened the season on a tear yet was left off most mid-season top prospect lists. I've heard a lot of good things about him but wondering what you think his ceiling is?(Brian from Mass.)

I think his ceiling is a first division third baseman. He's left off of lists because he's in Low-A and in a hitters park, so the numbers probably overstate things a bit. He's still a good prospect though, and while he hasn't been as hot as his start was, he's been doing just fine. (Craig Goldstein)

I'm the president of the Starlin Castro fan club, but objectively I don't like this deal too much. I think Castro has more value than Yelich short and long term. Don't think McMahon catches in Colorado, really like his profile however. (Mauricio Rubio)

I admit, McMahon surprised me a bit this year. I had plenty of amateur guys that liked him in conversations prior to his draft, but I never had the impression he would have this much success, this fast. He's put on quite the show so far and while I have yet to see him this year, I'm not hearing a lot of glaring weaknesses coming out of multiple reports on him throughout the first half. It's an impressive profile that gives the Rockies three (along with Tapia and Dahl) really talented position players on the way. (Mark Anderson)

while watching Dahl and Tapia did you see much of Ryan McMahon? what did you think of him? he had a torrid start power-wise, but then cooled off immensely. (Joe Random from San Jose)

I saw a ton of him.

Much better athlete than I expected and very solid in the field. I like the physical tools but the swing never wowed me. Lots of movement with his hands post foot strike. Could be a guy, I would for sure keep my eye on him. (Ryan Parker)

Ryan McMahon is off to a great start in the minors so far. Do you see this kid rising a ton as a prospect going into next year? Do you think he could be a top 20 prospect going into the 2015 season?(Randy from North Dakota)

He definitely has rise potential. Our prospect team had him 5th in the Rockies system but with a potential season as a first division guy so the talent is there and obviously we're seeing it bloom early. He's one to watch. (Paul Sporer)

Have you had a chance to see Ryan McMahon yet? (Mark from St. Paul, MN)

I've not seen him in person yet. I couldn't squeeze the Rockies into my Arizona spring training trip, but there's a chance I fit some SAL coverage into my schedule this year and I'm hopeful to see him before the year is out. Everything I heard has been impressive, so I'm eager to get my eyes on him. (Mark Anderson)

Can Ryan McMahon become better than Dahl or Tapia or no chance due to your love of Tapia?(Mike from Utica, NY)

Better? I didn't see that type of upside. I liked it, but he doesn't have the same level of feel and I wasn't sold on his abilities at 3B. Good approach at the plate and I liked his swing, but I don't think he belongs in the same conversation with Dahl or Tapia. (Jason Parks)

I'm a huge fan. I know he's not exactly a natural right now as a two-sport guy in high school but I think the game will come to him eventually and I love his hitting environments all the way up. He might be someone you trade at season's end for profit because he should be able to mash wherever he is. (Craig Goldstein)

Ryan McMahon do you think his numbers in the pioneer league were a mirage or is he a very good prospect?(Mike from Utica, NY)

I won't go so far as to say he is a "very good" prospect yet, but he's an intriguing player with the physicality and offensive profile fit at the hot corner if it comes together. He's raw and relatively inexperienced, so there's a long developmental path ahead of him. (Mark Anderson)

Last pinch hitting appearance from Mark Anderson: "The two that jump out the most to me are Williams and Alcantara. Williams is a gifted natural hitter and he could be an impact bat at the highest level. Alcantara can contribute in all phases of the game and he has some thump in his bat as well. I really like what Alcantara brings to the table. I've always been partial to Herrera and think he may have finally turned a corner in 2013, but I'm still a little skeptical of him."

Mark will be chatting at BP at 1 PM ET next Thursday, so show up then to get prospect questions answered without an intermediary. (Ben Lindbergh)